Surroundings, Nashville

To the east of Nashville by way of I 40 and Old Hickory Boulevard is Hermitage, the home of Andrew Jackson (1767-1845), seventh President of the United States. In the park surrounding the house (originally built 1819, rebuilt in 1834 after a fire) are the graves of Jackson and his wife.The mansion opened as a museum in 1889 and has been completely restored to its appearance during Jackson's retirement years, 1837-1845.

Gallatin (pop. 23,000) was founded in 1802 and named for Albert Gallatin, Secretary of the Treasury under Presidents John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. Gallatin is an industrial and agricultural marketplace with tobacco and soybean farming, dairy farming and the manufacture of farm products supporting the community.

15 mi. north of Nashville on I 65 is Millersville, with the Museum of Beverage Containers and Advertising, which claims to have the largest collection of drink cans (36,000 items), together with a large collection of advertising material.

Murfreesboro (pop. 81,000) was the state capital of Tennessee from 1818 to 1826 but lost to Nashville by one vote to retain the seat of government. The Rutherford County Courthouse was the site of an attack by Gen Nathan Bedford Forrest and his Confederate troops on Union troops that were camped northwest of the town.

The restored mid-19th century home of Sam Davis who was the Boy Hero of the Confederacy is located in Smyrna. The house and grounds feature outbuildings, slave quarters, period gardens, family cemetery and a museum. Sam Davis was captured by the Union Army and executed as a spy at the age of 21.

The Stones River National Battlefield is a 570 acre battlefield that includes the Stones River Cemetery and the Hazen Brigade Monument. The Battle of Stones River was one of the bloodiest fights of the Civil War and was fought from December 31, 1862 to January 2, 1863.

In 1864, Franklin (pop. 42,000) was the site of a Civil War battle on the banks of the Harpeth River. After five hours of fighting, the dead or wounded had reached 6,000 Confederate and 2,000 Union soldiers.

Mansker's Station Historic Site in Goodlettsville is a living history museum that represents the Station built by Kasper Mansker in the late 18th C. The Bowen House is located at the site.

Hendersonville (pop. 41,000) was settled in the late 1700's. It is the home to Trinity Music City, Historic Rock Castle and Monthaven - an historic home that houses the Hendersonville Arts Council.

The White House Inn Library and Museum is housed in a replica of a 1796 building called the White House Inn. The Inn was a popular stopover between Nashville and Louisville in horse and buggy days. It features artifacts and antiques.